{flower trend}

now here's a flower trend that i can live with. first of all, i am not a "floral" person, so it's difficult for me to like things with alot of flowers....but lately i've noticed a VERY cute trend! I really like what they are doing with these: they are always layered & messy & crinkly!

{Shower Invites}

So I finally made some invites that I had stored in my head for long time! I really liked how they turned out & I received some really nice compliments from the invitees! ahhhh...that's what makes it worth it!

{taking it for granted}

...so i go every few days for a walk down to Bath & Body Works ( the store is on level one pretty much beneath my store!)...how lucky am i? i think that when i got home the other day and saw how my little stash is growing ..."for a rainy day"...i realized i had not even put my new babies on!!! how terrible of me!!! so here i post in my sweet shea infused fluffy socks! they are the best after a long day at work! ahhhh!!!!
These are the latest scents i've bought...they smell amazing: Island Nectar,Passionfruit & Guava and Pineapple Orchid....ooohhhh!!!

{ahhh...summer thots}

i came across this inspiration board and it gave me the sweet thots & feelings of a warm summer day. i yearn for it so much in this cold & dreary time. we were supposed to start spring this past friday & all i see is snow, in fact, fresh snow on the roads this morning....so i figure that i can come back to this board & make my spirit feel summer ....at least visually for now! ahhhh, the sweet smell of summer will be here soon--i hope!

{Pom Poms}

so these beauties have been around forever on the Martha Stewart website but i've never seen them made in "real life", never seen them at a party either. i have a special event i'm in charge of coming up soon, so i'm gonna give these a whirl! I think i need to start practicing soon. i know they will add a lot of flair & mostly be out of the way...they won't be taking up precious real estate on my dessert buffet table. i will post photos of my attempts soon!

{Easters}

Yes, i added an "s"on Easter, as it reminded me of Nacho Libre....anywho, at the moment i was supposed to be researching for two other events coming up in my life, but i came across this cute easters inspiration board at one of my favorite blogs: Tastefully Entertaining. it's showing ideas on having an easter egg decorating party. sounds fun to me! but i better get back to researching...

{pearl}

this is the most elegant bracelet, I really want it! it's found here.

{Fortune Cookies}

I just found a really pretty idea for Valentines! It starts out at An Altered state of Mind... and then sends you to the ehow tutorial...I like the idea that i can personalize it to each of my family. I can send them in their lunches on V-Day! How fun is that?

{banner}

did you notice my new banner? my 12 year old son made that for me! i just told him i love chocolate brown & mac's...and that's what he came up with! i love how he totally captured "me"...i absolutely love it & will cherish it everytime i open my blog..what do ya think?

{Southern Weddings}

so i think i've been missing photographing weddings, winter is when we book our weddings mostly, so i took a peek over at Southern Weddings- my most favorite inspirational wedding blog that i love to look at & get ideas from. they have this beautiful inspiration board filled with centerpiece ideas. i've seen many of them before though, so that wasn't inspiring. in fact, i'm starting to see this trend in many blogs, some ideas are re-hashed over & over again. i guess it's because my intent is always finding something new & fresh. anyhow, this still fills my need for a wedding fix!!! enjoy.

{Gingered Lemon Bars}

Since my time is limited lately I want to plan ahead a few events, I have a few this Spring, so I thot i might start trying out a few recipes so they can be in place for the Spring. Not a bad idea, huh? I've learned from experience that one must NOT try new recipes right before an event, there's just too much pressure & stress, I like to check out some recipes that "sound" yummy & then give 'em a try, if there's nothing left on the plate the next day then i know it's a success!!! Having 3 boys & a husband helps!!! So this Gingered Lemon Bars recipe "sounds" delish; we love to cook with ginger & are already lemon bar lovers around here, i had never thot of the two together, so we'll give 'em a shot! I like this site 'cause I think it's "for reals" ...real people in this family that have made & experimented with the recipes they post, not just another database of recipes who knows has submitted!

{Lisa Leonard}

I'm totally loving her work & designs...especially the little pearl attached to the necklaces....hmmm..must pass this one along! Check out Lisa Leonard here!

{Rebecca Thuss- post #2}

I absolutely love it when i stumble accross a fabulous site & article that find myself ignoring everything else around me & staring into the computer like a love struck puppy! Who knew? Well, This morning I was....actually now I can't remember where I was, but came accross a new blog: the bride's cafe and in that blog was a two part guest interview with Rebecca Thuss, my most favorite stylist!!! The interview had some gorgeous photographs of her work & some upcoming news about her & this blurred photograph of her. It's difficult to find her photograph, so I feel complete now that I know what she looks like! I LOVE her work as it is my style & speaks so much to me. Enjoy!

{New Year's Resolution}

I pledge to create a wrapping station in the year 2009!!! I know, a bit selfish, but whatever!!!
Happy New Year everyone!

{pretty little things}

...as i was checking out the little window shoppe, they featured an etsy store: pretty little things & i love these upcycled bows~ i wanna make some NOW! the crafter made these out of the paper from a catalogue from the the paper source, how clever!

i {heart} peppermint bark...

...need i say more???

{pretty things}

i've been so busy but thrilled with the fact that my blog was searched for on google, ah, my moment came! i've been so overwhelmed with changes in my life lately that i've had no time to post, but i guess all things have their time. this morning i was missing posting so i headed over to PB, my most fave store! and ga-ga'd over all their beautiful christmas ideas.

on another note, i love RED & GREEN! it speaks christmas to me. a rich red though not the candy-cane red. the last issue of Style at Home disappointed me, it was all about not decorating in the traditional colors, but rather violet, blues & whites...that speaks stark & cold to me not warm & inviting. perhaps it's because i decorate with my kids in mind more than an adult atmosphere, i feel it's all about them really, i could watch them open presents all day! which will be the case anyway!

on the weekend we attended a special musical performance and that christmas tear came down my cheek. i was waiting for that special moment that starts the season for me. it happens every year & it warms my heart. i feel the love of the christmas season in my heart & it makes me utterly speechless! now, that doesn't happen to me often but so look forward to it!
So I hope you search for the spirit of the season in whatever form touches you the most!
Happy Christmas to you & yours!
~Paula

{strawberry heaven}

...now why haven't we made these beauties? why just chocolate dipped when you can ROLL them in just about anything else that makes you go ga-ga??? i found these here....this is being filed away for the next baby or bridal shower I have to do!!! excuse me while I go wipe my drool....hahaha

{on ETSY}

so i was blog browsing a bit tonite & landed on etsy...i knew about it, but really haven't bothered to look thru it, as I can sew & make just about anything...i know, bragging isn't attractive, but i really liked a few things that weren't "sewn" rather knitted or handmade jewlery.... i really liked this "cross my heart wrap" in the above pic. how cute is that??? V-E-R-Y !!!

{update: i made the banner...}

so, i made the halloween banner i had found last year on this blog. it was easy to make & i think i will make smaller ones for other occasions & hang them by the front door. i did feel it was nice to have a banner that was homemade versus a cheesy store bought one, but who has the time to make one, everytime? i actually ran out of time looking for black beads & black tulle, so it's not decorated as much as the sample one. i got lots of compliments, as it was something a bit different. that's my goal always, for it to be unique & a little different than the norm. anyway, i had fun making it & will make a cute mini one for Christmas for the front entrance, if i have the time!!!

{pillow, anyone?}

...i'm on a sharing streak tonite! (killing some time before i have to run around & pick up kids, etc) i just found the most ridiculously cute pillow....check it out here ! not sure if i'll get it, it's only "starting at $134 dollars"... seriously , who would pay such a ridiculous amount of money...I predict you will see replicas of this in the near future~ yup, i'm psychic ~

{please be mine!}

okay, that didn't take me long! i just found something i want for Christmas, for all those of you that have me on your list, all 3 people who read my pathetic blog! hahahaha, so here it is! the Butler Bag! Oh my goodness, I almost fell off my chair, I love an organized bag & I am continously cleaning mine out of clutter, oh, this is fabulous!!! let me go back & look at it {and drool}...

I just added the red one, oh my, i'm in love!

{gift giving}

...at least just thinking about it! I have this problem, I think about really cool things for people on my list throughout the year & then I either forget or they get the item before Christmas. So I was looking for inspiration online and went to one of the first places I went to when the internet first started....I was watching Oprah's first ever "Oprah's favorite things giveaway" episode (when I used to watch Oprah!) anyhow, it was Red Envelope....they are so cool, they wrap all the presents in red boxes with a beautiful ivory grosgrain ribbon...ahhhh! beautiful! sidenote: One year I wrapped all my presents ( except kiddie ones) in Kraft paper with raffia, it was awesome! I must do that again!) Anyhow, there's also gifts.com for ideas...well, I'm stuck on what to get for a few people, so I better keep looking for some cool & unique ideas! Best of luck with your shopping!!!

{PB Design Library}

I ordered this Pottery Barn Design Library months ago & have them in my possession now. I haven't had a quiet moment yet to enjoy them but I will this weekend~ so excited!!!

{food tv for kids}

So, I just came across that Food Network Canada has a kids site. They have listed menus, articles, parties & videos. I like it! It's a cute site with lotsa kids & babies ideas.

{gingerbread skeletons & bleeding hearts & scary pumpkins}

...different (something i'm always looking for) & very cute halloween ideas i saw over at craftzine.com

{on organizing}

just thinking about great entryways as i'm starting to dig out the winter accessories that everyone needs...where to put it all!!! and when they all come home...where to put it all!! it's amazing how we have to have clothing and accessories for 4 seasons in Canada. Canada i think has the reputation of just being cold all the time...which by this summer's standards we were living in California. From +38C to -38C....that's a lot of clothing changes in between!

{Sur La Table}

...it was one of the first french phrases i learned in school! i felt so "french" when I'd say it! silly, i know! A new & exciting site for me, is it new for you?..sur la table.. so what is it about an american store that is unaccessable to canada that i find so intriguing? (you know, PB & WS)....and then they grace us with their presence years later when they get wind that canadians WANT them!!! is it about the ...the grass being greener on the other side syndrome??? anyhow, this is a great site and they have a new baking blog also that you can check out....enjoy!

Update: {Barefoot in tha house!}

Looky @ what was in my email inbox today!!! A new show & a Christmas Special!!! It was as good as Christmas morning for me!

Dear Paula,

It's that time again! My new book, Barefoot Contessa Back to Basics is coming out on October 28th. I think this may be my favorite book yet - it's all about how to get great flavor from simple ingredients.

When I'm writing recipes, what really interests me is how to get the most flavor in a dish. How can I make chicken taste like the best chicken you've ever eaten? What can I serve with this pear to bring out it's sweetness? What can I add to chocolate (like coffee) that will give the chocolate great depth of flavor? Each recipe in this book has that secret process or ingredient that will make your cooking the best ever.

In addition to my new book, I have a new TV series on Food Network - also called Barefoot Contessa Back to Basics with lots of great new recipes and some exciting parties. Don't miss Saturday, December 13th when my friend Susan Stroman and I give a party for the cast of her hit Broadway musical Young Frankenstein. It was such fun!

If you'd like to order signed books, get a recipe from the new book, or check out my upcoming book tour please go to BarefootContessa.com

Have a happy and healthy holiday season!

Love, Ina

{Barefoot Contessa}

So today I read that Ina Garten has a new cookbook coming out October 28th! I'm so excited....I love her cookbooks....they are great recipes & turn out awesome!!! If you go to her website you can get an autographed copy for $35. I look forward to reviewing her book.

{fro yo}

so it seems like the CUPCAKE craze is coming to an end...according to the Vanilla Garlic blog!!! Go on over and have a read! The new craze is predicted to be frozen yogurt.....hmmm...can i really serve that at a kids party & have them go "ga-ga" over delicious over decorated theme cupcakes??? i think not!!! i really don't think it will have the same impact--hahaha...i think you'll agree with me...just like cake, i think the cupcake will always be popular & will always have a home at parties & get-togethers!

{Rebecca Thuss}

...for those of you who know me & my little quirks, know that I have a binder full of ideas cut out of magazines(it's my way of not keeping a ton of magazines around, instead I keep great ideas in page protectors). It's been lent to a few select....hahahaha...but today as I was looking for some cute favor ideas for an upcoming birthday party, I came across Rebecca Thuss' website! I found many of the old Martha Stewart pages I have cut out in her portfolio....so I was a fan of hers & I didn't know the stylists name!!! teaches me to read who the stylists are in magazines rather than assume that it was all "martha"! Take a look at her portfolio, it's amazing- enjoy!!!